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by Daniel Bewley
Hello World!
Well, sort of – as Budget Earth’s editor and IT support, what I occasionally do write isn’t usually visible. I can’t compete with Susan for unusual, fancy, or really unique recipes, most of the time, but I do have one thing that no one else makes in our family, or at my parents’ house – cheesecake! I’ve been making and toying with this recipe for the better part of 15 years, and it has been a hit with pretty much everyone who tries it.
It is a simple base, but it lends itself spectacularly to a multitude of flavors: Amaretto is a perennial family favorite for us, by itself or with chocolate, coconut, or other liquers; straight Kahlua or other ‘coffee’ liquers add a flavor that goes naturally with the smooth, creamy base; and fruit-based liquers or liquors perform wonderfully as well I’ve used Grand Marnier, coconut rum, and a few others. If the recipe seems too easy, for added flair and flavor you can mix the filling as below, then divide it in half, mix a half-cup of melted chocolate chips into one side, and finally pour them together and get a chocolate swirl recipe to die for!
The Last Cheescake Recipe You’ll Need
4.9 from 20 reviews
Looking for a yummy, homemade cheesecake recipe with a lot of flavor? See why we think this is the last cheesecake recipe you’ll ever need!
- Author: Susan Bewley
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 mins
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
UnitsScale
Crust:
- 1 stick (4 oz.) butter
- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
Filling:
- 2 pounds cream cheese, allow to warm to room temp.
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 2 eggs
Flavorings – choose a set:
- 2 Tbsp vanilla
- 1–2 oz Amaretto
- OR
- 2–3 oz. Kahlua OR other flavored alcohol(s), as desired
Other needs:
- Springform or pie pan (make sure it’s large and deep, this cheesecake will fill two ordinary 8″ or 9″ by 3/4″-1″ pie plates!)
- Cookie sheet with raised edges – optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Crust:
- Melt the butter.
- In your pie plates or springform pan, mix the butter and graham cracker crumbs, then press down to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then pull out and set aside. While this bakes, start the filling.
Filling:
- Mix cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and flour.
- Add flavoring (vanilla and amaretto, or other liquors/liquers)
- Blend until almost smooth, but no longer than 6 minutes.
- Pour into the pie plate(s)/springform pan.
Baking:
- For a perfect look at the end, fill a cookie sheet/baking tray with water, and put it on the rack below the pan(s). Without this, the surface of the cheesecake will crack and cool unevenly – same great taste and texture inside, but it won’t be picture-perfect.
- Place the cheesecake pan(s) in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. It will likely not look ‘done’ in the center, but that’s just fine.
- After baking finishes, allow to cool outside of the refrigerator for ~1 hour. (Grab a book and a metal spoon, with the scent of this you may need to deter prowling children, siblings or parents during this time!)
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
- Enjoy with a good coffee!
AboutDaniel Bewley
Reader Interactions
Comments
- Tammy S says
This looks absolutely Amazing! Cheesecake is my husbands all time favorite. I am always looking for a good recipe that is easy and taste great. This looks like it will do the job. Thanks for the recipe!
- Kathleen Kelly says
I will definitely try this…I love just plain old cheesecake…
- Allia says
I have a weakness for cheesecakes and apple pies. They put everything else to cheesecakes these days that it is refreshing to see a recipe like this one. Thanks. This will reduce the pain of paying $12 just for one slice of cheesecake in NY the other day, and it was a carry-out order. Thanks a bunch, I am bookmarking this page.
- Roz says
I have always had difficulty making cheescake, but this recipe looks very easy and yummy.
- Sherry Keef says
I love cheesecake and this recipe sounds wonderful.
- Teresa Richards says
This is my daughter’s favorite dessert. This one sounds like a very straight forward recipe. Simple. My daughter doesn’t have a lot of cooking experience, so the easier the better for now. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
- denise low says
Thanks for the recipe. I needed ideas for Thanksgiving Sounds like this is a good one
- lisa says
I have to admit, when I saw the title I thought, yeah right! Cheesecake is cheesecake. Then I read the ingredients. This sounds delicious. I pinned it to try later. I’m looking forward to it!
- M.Clark says
Yum, it certainly looks delicious. I cannot wait to give this a try. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
- lisa says
How many times can I say Delicious! This really is an excellent cheesecake recipe. It’s going to be a regular holiday dessert form now on. Thanks again for the recipe!!!
- Susan Bewley says
You are very welcome! This is made almost every holiday in our household 🙂
- Mrs. Roger Young says
I have tried this recipe and want to warn your readers that they really should make TWO because one will quickly disappear. It is delicious and exactly what a cheesecake should be. Love it. Especially like that it goes to show…real men make cheesecake!
- Mrs. Roger Young says
Forgot to rate it. It is a five star recipe. No one I know that has tasted this recipe has disliked it (and in our family, that is saying something).
- lisa says
I have a weakness for Kahlua. I remembered that there was a good recipe here so I was looking through. I have to pin it again to make this weekend. It also gives me an excuse to have a mud slide.
- Alina says
Just looking at the finished result makes me hungry for cheesecake. Read the ingredients and instructions and it seems tasty and simple to make. Will have to try this.
- sandra says
I like the simple list of ingredients
- Sean says
Love, love and LOVE! I will have to make this for our first SPRING BBQ this upcoming weekend.
- lisa says
I’ve said it before, this is the best cheesecake. I love it! This is the last cheesecake recipe that I need.
- M.Clark says
Yum, I do love cheesecake, I must try this. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
- lisa says
Never again will I eat a plain cheesecake. I’m very picky so, I don’t know what else to say. If you haven’t tried it, what are you waiting for?
- Matzsmith says
Can’t wait to try it.
- Lisa Coomer Queen says
Yummy! This cheesecake looks delicious! I already pinned it. I will be trying this for sure. I’ve never made a cheesecake because they have always looked too hard. This one looks like one I can handle. Thanks for the recipe!
- lisa says
I’m thinking about all of the toppings I’d like to try on this. Maybe a mocha or Irish cream flavoring.
- Michele Ash says
WOW! We are definitely a Cheesecake Loving Family! Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe! I absolutely love it! I’ve saved your recipe and I do plan to make this! When we used to occasionally went out to dinner, we’d all get a piece of cheesecake for dessert (if we have room, if not we may order one to take home). We haven’t been out to eat in a very long time due to our financial situation. Once I can get all the ingredients together, I’m positively making this! Thanks again for sharing your delicious recipe with all of us! I definitely do appreciate it! Thanks Again! Michele 🙂
- lisa says
I always find good recipes here. I haven’t tried one that I didn’t like.
- Dee Lafrenz says
Love the simple recipes. Thank you for sharing this. We love cheesecake, especially one that can be changed up so easily.
- Megan A says
I either get my cheesecake from my German friend (best cheesecake of my life!!) or from the grocery store…
- lisa says
I think I’ll experiment with different crust flavors. Make it taste like a mudslide. I’ll think about it.
- Lisa Coomer Queen says
I look forward to trying this with Amaretto in it. Thanks for the recipe.
- lisa says
I always look forward to seeing new recipes here. Especially for desserts. I may not be able to make them all but they sure do look good. I pin them for people that can cook.
- Diana C says
This looks so delicious, and easy to make. Too bad it’s only me and the hubby at home. 🙂
Diana C
- william gossage says
I love cheese cake special one with cherry topping
- Dee Lafrenz says
Love cheesecake, especially with berries, any kind! My only problem is if I make it I end up eating it all myself. Hubby does not do sweets. I will keep this one for holiday gatherings.
- Elizabeth Sunderland says
I’m passing this along to a relative cause I don’t know how she does her cheese cake but it’s the best I’ve ever had and I don’t eat sweets
- lisa says
I have pinned this one a couple of times to share with those that may not have seen it the first time. I can’t wait for the next dessert recipe.
- Jasmine P says
This looks delicious!
- denise low says
Looks very delicious. May have to try this one out.
- Michele Ash says
I Don’t Really Know What to say but, WOW! We are definitely a Cheesecake Eating Family! Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe! I absolutely honestly love it! I’ve saved your recipe and I plan to make this! Once I can get all the ingredients together, I’m positively making this! Thanks again for sharing your absolutely delicious recipe with all of us! I definitely positively do appreciate it! Thanks So Very, Very Much!!!! I love this!!!! Thanks again! Michele 🙂
- william gossage says
that cheesecake sure looks taste. I am going try this
- Diana C says
This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing. I can always use another good recipe in my collection.
Diana C
- Cindy S. says
Looks so yummy! I LOVE cheesecake and will pin this so I can try it for sure!
- terry myers says
I love cheesecake its my favorite I could eat it every day I never saw a recipe with alcohol in it I will try this
- Sue E says
You’ve been toying with this recipe for the better part of 15 years?? It has to be GOOD!! We’re a big fan of Kahlua for flavoring. My husband’s favorite dessert. I’m pinning this so I can surprise him! Thank you so much!!!
